title: [Management of cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis in diagnostic radiology departments in Italy: proposal of a checklist and role of radiology technicians].
abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) affects more than two billion people worldwide. In hospitals, the presence of suspect cases of infectious TB should be reported as quickly as possible. An anonymous questionnaire was administered to a sample of radiology technicians employed by several local health departments in Italy. The questionnaire contained questions regarding workplace characteristics, knowledge about precautions for preventing disease transmission, degree of collaboration between health professionals and departments regarding communicable diseases. Study results point to the presence of structural and organizational weaknesses as well as inadequate communication between healthcare workers and units. Eighty percent of surveyed technicians stated that patients with suspected TB may arrive in diagnostic radiology wards devoid of surgical mask. The authors suggest the adoption of a checklist to aid healthcare professionals and specifically X-Ray technicians in adopting a behavioral model for the management of patients with infectious TB.
authors.affiliation: Università di Torino, corso di laurea in Tecniche di radiologia medica, per immagini e radioterapia.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giorgini
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mesto
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Soardo
mesh_terms: D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D011859:Radiography; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D012494:Sampling Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013679:Technology, Radiologic; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission